Previously called American Eurocopter, the company began operating as Airbus Helicopters, Inc. in early 2014 as part of the reorganization and rebranding of Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Group (formerly Eurocopter and EADS, respectively). Under the new structure, Airbus Helicopters, Inc. benefits from and enriches the Airbus brand as it develops, makes, markets, and supports a diversified rotorcraft product line.

Geographic Reach

Airbus Helicopters, Inc. keeps more than 1,800 helicopters flying across the US and caters to 600 customers. The company's 40-acre plant in Columbus, Mississippi, extends its operations from primarily training, maintenance, and repair services to also encompass assembly, completion, customization, and manufacturing services. The company also operates regional support centers in California and Florida.

Operations

The company manufactures, markets, sells, and supports the range of civil and para public helicopters in the US. At Columbus, Mississippi’s Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Airbus Helicopters, Inc.'s facility assembles UH-72A Lakotas for the Army, which operates the multi-role UH-72A Lakota (a variant of the Airbus Helicopters EC145) from bases across the U.S.

Sales and Marketing

Airbus Helicopters, Inc. targets several markets, specifically air medical, law enforcement/government, tourism, and VIP (corporate customers wanting a more luxurious ride). It is also a major supplier in the offshore (oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska) and utility (loading and lifting) markets.

The company’s aircraft are flown by more than 440 operators in the US – including corporate and business customers, hospitals and emergency medical services, tourism operators, law enforcement agencies, the Army, Coast Guard, Customers and Border Protection, and the FBI.

Strategy

Growing its business Airbus Helicopters, Inc. plans additional facilities around the US, including in the Northeast and Gulf of Mexico region.

In 2014 the plant in Columbus (which has manufactured the Lakota used primarily by the military) announced plans to produce the AS350 AStar, the most popular helicopter in the US, at the facility.